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To learn boxing, first, find the right gym and coach and buy the boxing equipment. Then, start learning the basics and start sparring. Once you start becoming confident in your skills, learn more advanced techniques. 

Boxing is an excellent sport for people of all ages and abilities. It is a great way to stay fit, learn self-defense skills, and have fun! However, I see many people who are confused about how they can get started.

This is why in this article, I will outline the steps you need to take to get started with boxing as absolute beginner.

Choosing boxing as your chosen exercise can be advantageous in a few ways. First, boxing is relatively quick and easy to learn. You can start with just a few basic punches and work your way up.

Second, boxing is an intense workout that will help tone your body. Finally, boxing can be fun and rewarding if you enjoy competing.

When it comes to choosing a sport, there are a lot of factors to consider. Do you have the time it takes to practice and compete? Is the sport safe for you? What are your goals for the sport?

If you are interested in boxing as a sport, make sure to speak with your doctor first. Boxing can be dangerous if done incorrectly. Always consult with your doctor before starting any new exercise program.

2: Find a Boxing Gym & Coach

If you’re interested in boxing, the first thing you’ll need is a gym and a coach. Finding a reputable, experienced gym with a good track record of training fighters is essential.

You can find gyms all over the country, so it’s worth researching before settling on one. Once you’ve found a gym right for you, sign up for classes and take as many boxing lessons as possible.

Finding the right gym and coach could make or break your boxing experience.

3: Buy Boxing Equipment

When starting out, getting the right equipment and gear is essential. You will need a few pieces of equipment to begin boxing: boxing gloves, shoes, handwraps, and a mouthguard. For training, a punching bag is also required.

Related article: 7 Boxing Sparring Gear You Will Need As A Beginner (+ Cost)

Your local sports store is an excellent place to start your boxing equipment search. There, you’ll be able to find everything from boxing gloves to weightlifting benches.

You can also check out online retailers, like Amazon. If you’re looking for something specific, like boxing shoes or a punching bag, look at the reviews before making a purchase.

Here is a small list of things that I use and would recommend to beginners:

  1. Boxing gloves: I made an in-depth guide to help you select the best boxing gloves for you as a beginner. I recommend going with the Everlast Elite Pro Style Training Gloves as they are relatively inexpensive and reliable.
  2. Boxing shoes: Great boxing shoes are always a good investment. For beginners, I recommend not to go with something expensive. Later on, when you’re comfortable with your skill and know what you’re looking for, you can look to invest in higher-quality boxing shoes. I recommend using something like the Everlast New Elite Boxing Shoes for beginners.
  3. Handwraps: These are used to secure the gloves in place and make sure they fit optimally. You can get good hand wraps for as low as $6. I recommend using the Sanabul Elastic Professional 180-inch Handwraps as they are inexpensive and reliable.
  4. Mouthguard: Mouthguards are crucial for protecting your gums and teeth, and boxing shouldn’t be done without them. Thankfully, they are inexpensive, and you can get them for less than $15. I recommend going for the Venum Mouth Guard as it is relatively cheap and comfortable.

 

Get a boxing training glove that’s multi purpose. As a beginner, you don’t need specialized gloves.

4: Learn the Basics of Boxing Strikes & Defense

Before starting sparring or training with another boxer, you must learn the boxing basics. This includes understanding the stances, the jab, cross, hook, and the uppercut punch. 

Successful boxers will learn to use a combination of footwork and punches in excellent synchronization. Master the basic techniques before you move on to advanced ones, and you will be well on your journey to becoming a great boxer.

5: Start Sparring

Sparring allows you to learn how to defend yourself in a relatively safe environment. It will enable you to hone your technique and even discover new ones. Sparring also allows you to improve your punching power and accuracy.

Sparring is a practice where two opponents fight with each other without any contact to improve their skills. Sparring aims to help the boxer see how they would perform against an opponent to get better at defending themselves and striking.

The main benefit of sparring is that it helps the boxer learn how to defend themselves. When sparring against someone weaker than them, they can learn how to use their defenses correctly and avoid getting hit.

Another benefit of sparring is that it allows the boxer to test different techniques. If you have a particular style of fighting that you want to perfect, sparring will let you to do so without fighting someone in real life.

Finally, sparring is a great way to improve your punching power and accuracy. By fighting against someone weaker than you, you will learn how to punch harder and hit the target more accurately.

Related article: Does Sparring Hurt? 9 Tips For Safe Sparring Without Damage

Sparring is the best way to improve your skills and it doesn’t have to be painful!

6: Learn the Basic Footwork Technique

To start boxing, beginners should learn the jab, cross, hook, uppercut, and overhand right. Each punch has a footwork pattern that must be learned to execute effectively.

Boxing footwork is used to move and defend oneself in the ring. It combines basic boxing moves and footwork that helps fighters avoid being hit and land punches with accuracy. 

As a boxer becomes more experienced, they can add more advanced techniques like the hook kick and defensive feints to their arsenal. 

There are a few things you can do to improve your boxing footwork. The first is to practice constantly making minor adjustments to your stance and movement.

This will help you stay balanced, agile, and responsive in any situation. Try to vary your punches, as this will keep your skills sharp. Finally, be sure to focus on your breathing. It will help you stay calm under pressure if you can control it.  

Related article: 8 Boxing Punching Numbers! All You Need To Build Good Combos

7: Learn Advanced Boxing Techniques

Now that you are well aware of the basic techniques of boxing, start to learn some of the advanced techniques. The first thing you should focus on is counters. Then you can focus on learning advanced overhand, gazelle punches, and shoulder rolls.

After learning the basics of boxing, it’s time to learn more advanced techniques like below:

  1. Counters: When an opponent throws a punch, you need to react quickly by throwing your own punch in response. If you wait too long, your opponent will catch on and attack you with more punches. This creates an opportunity to land a powerful hit on your opponent.
  2. Overhand punch: This semi-circular, vertical punch is thrown using the rear hand. This uses the body weight to deliver a powerful blow.
  3. Gazelle punch: This is a hook-type technique where the boxer lifts up from the ground while punching.
  4. Shoulder roll: This technique utilizes your shoulder and the upcoming punch’s momentum to deflect the punch.

Related article: 8 Tips To Predict Incoming Punches: Where To Focus In Boxing

8: Stay Focused and Motivated

Boxing is a physically and mentally challenging sport that anyone can enjoy. Like any sport, it takes focus, discipline, and motivation to start boxing and stick with it. One of the most important things to remember when starting boxing is to stay focused.

Boxers often get tunnel vision in the ring, leading to mistakes. If you can keep your attention on your opponent and the task, you’ll be less likely to make costly errors.

Having a good work ethic is also important when you start boxing. You’ll need to put in hours of training if you want to be successful at this sport. And because injuries are common in boxing, being willing to hustle is crucial. If you’re not motivated enough or disciplined enough, you won’t be able to achieve your goals no matter how hard you work.

9: Get Proper Nutrition & Hydration

Boxing is an intense physical activity that can be tough on the body. Proper nutrition and hydration are essential to keeping your energy levels up and avoiding injuries. 

Here are some tips for getting the most out of boxing:

  1. Make sure to eat a balanced diet before a boxing match. Include plenty of healthy food, including vegetables, fruits, lean protein, as well as whole grains.
  2. Drink plenty of fluids before and during a boxing match. Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks, which only add to your dehydration problems. Instead, drink water, sports drinks, or fruit juices.
  3. Get some exercise before a boxing match to promote overall fitness. This will help you avoid any injury problems during the bout.
  4. Take ibuprofen or other pain-relieving medications before a boxing match if you experience discomfort. Be aware that these medications can increase your risk of getting concussions.

10: Improve Your Technique and Skills Over Time

When boxing, learn from your mistakes and practice often while being patient. You need to take good care of your body and stay focused. Finally, ensure you’re having fun while doing so, or it can cause you a lot of unnecessary stress.

Boxing is a great sport for people of all ages and fitness levels. It has a lot of benefits, including improved cardiovascular function, muscle strength, and bone density. However, to get the most out of boxing, you must improve your technique and skills. 

Here are 7 tips to help you do that:

  1. Learn from your mistakes: Even the best boxers make mistakes from time to time. Don’t be afraid to admit when you make a mistake and work on fixing it as soon as possible.
  2. Practice often: Boxing is physically demanding, so it’s important to practice regularly to improve your skills quickly. Try boxing at least three times per week for 30 minutes each time or longer if possible.
  3. Be patient: It can take beginners to develop the skills needed for boxercise training. However, you will eventually reach your goals with patience and consistent effort.
  4. Get fit for boxing: It’s important to be physically fit before training because it will help you have less pain when doing the exercises and workouts required for boxing training. A good way to achieve this is by following a regular fitness program that includes aerobic exercise and resistance training.
  5. Take care of your body: It’s important to take care of your body while boxing so that you don’t injure yourself in the process. Make sure to wear protective gear whenever you box, including boxing gloves, headgear, and comfortable and supportive footwear.
  6. Stay focused: Boxing can be a very demanding sport, both physically and mentally. Make sure you stay focused during your workouts if you want to see results quickly.
  7. Have fun: Boxing is a great way to get fit and build muscle while having some fun simultaneously, so make sure to enjoy yourself while training.

11: Go Pro

While becoming a professional boxer is not necessary to have successful results with boxing training, going pro can definitely increase your chances of achieving your goals.

There are many opportunities for pro boxers, including appearing in televised matches, winning championships, and making money from sponsorships and endorsements. So if you want to achieve the greatest possible success in boxing, go pro!

You need to do a few key things to jump from amateur boxing to professional. First, you must become a USA Boxing National Governing Body member. Next, you must obtain a Professional Boxing Coach Certification. Finally, you must be registered with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

Each of these steps can be done independently, but it is important to work together as each one helps support your journey to becoming a professional boxer.

Becoming a member of USA Boxing is an important step in becoming a professional boxer because it provides access to resources and support that can help improve your skills and prepare you for the challenges of pro boxing competition. Joining USA Boxing also allows you to participate in national championships and international tournaments, both of which can provide valuable experience and training for future pro competitions. 

Becoming certified as a Professional Boxing Coach can help solidify your credentials as an experienced boxing coach and open up new opportunities for coaching boxers at all levels.

Registered with USADA is another important step on your journey to becoming a professional boxer because it ensures that all boxers who compete under your name comply with anti-doping regulations. 

Finally, marketing yourself as a professional boxer through social media and other online platforms can be a valuable way to connect with potential boxers, sponsors, and other stakeholders in the boxing industry.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to start boxing for fun or fitness, following these tips will help you become a pro. Ensure you have the proper equipment initially, but later on, you can learn to box even without them. Remember, the more you practice, the better your skills will become!

I hope this article helped you on your boxing journey!

Ifandi S.

Ifandi started Unflinched.com to answer all the questions of martial artist (regardless of the level). As an avid martial arts lover and curious person, he remembers how many unanswered questions he had when he started. With Unflinched.com, that's no longer the case.

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